David Ellspermann honored

Even before David Ellspermann took office in 1997 as Marion County's clerk of court, he had been involved with the March of Dimes non-profit charity organization.

By April WarrenStaff writer

Even before David Ellspermann took office in 1997 as Marion County's clerk of court, he had been involved with the March of Dimes non-profit charity organization.

His efforts have not gone unnoticed. On Nov. 19, the charity honored him with a Lifetime Achievement award for his commitment and dedication to the organization.

The honor comes after Ellspermann personally raised $120,000 for the organization, a large portion of which came from his business connections.

“Many would describe him as the consummate volunteer, always giving of himself while seeking solutions to the needs of others,” Marilyn Tubb said while presenting the award during an annual volunteer appreciation dinner. Tubb won the award in 2006 for her contributions.

Ellspermann also holds the title of Florida's No. 1 March for Babies adult fundraiser for both 2010 and 2011. His team at the Marion County Clerk of the Circuit Court has also held the top spot as the No. 1 fundraising team for March of Babies in the county for many years.

“I am humbled,” Ellspermann said of his award.

He was also recognized in 2003 as the North Central Florida Division Volunteer of the Year and in 1998 as the Marion County Volunteer of the Year, along with his wife and daughter.

In 1996 Ellspermann was first elected to the clerk position. Prior to those duties, his public service began in law enforcement, both in Georgia and later with the Ocala Police Department. He also worked as the administrative director for the Public Defender's Office and executive director for the 5th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office.

But ever since childhood, the notion of volunteering and giving back had been instilled in him.

“The lifetime achieve is really an award we present at the discretion of the board and staff when it is an appropriate time to recognize somebody for exemplary extended volunteering that they've done,” said Betsy Trent, division director for the North Central Florida March of Dimes.

For the past three years the award had not been given to anyone, but this year two were awarded: one to Ellspermann and a second to DeeJay Hellrung for her service in Alachua County. Ocala resident Cory Poole was also recognized for his dedication, as Marion County's Volunteer of the Year.

Both Poole and Ellspermann worked on the Marion County Signature Chef's Auction event this fall — the most successful ever — raising more than $80,000 for March of Dimes.

Ironically, Ellspermann almost missed the award ceremony. He initially purchased a ticket to attend an event celebrating Al Kunz's induction into the Marion County Agriculture Hall of Fame for the same evening because he was unaware of the award.

Luckily, his family convinced him to honor his commitment to March of Dimes.

“It was really wonderful for him to be recognized for all the work he does in the community,” said Jayne Ellspermann, his wife of 36 years, who is principal at West Port High School. “He's been unbelievable in his dedication.”

When asked, David Ellspermann would rather chat about the important benefits March of Dimes provides that his award.

Now in its 75th year, March of Dimes researches problems that threaten the health of babies and help expecting mothers carry their babies to full term. In the United States, one in nine babies are born prematurely and 15 million are born premature worldwide each year.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt founded the nonprofit organization in 1938 to combat polio, and since then its mission has expanded. The organization has funded newborn screening tests to protect against Phenylketonuria, or PKU, once a leading cause of inherited intellectual disability.

At one time respiratory distress syndrome was the leading cause of infant deaths, but is now routinely treated with surfactant, an approach pioneered through March of Dimes research.

“When I had healthy children, it made even more sense to give back,” said Ellspermann, standing near his two grown daughters and five grandsons.

While March of Dimes has made several breakthroughs, the organization still notes there is more work to be done. For the sixth time in 30 years there has been a drop in the rate of premature births nationwide. However, Florida's premature rate actually increased.

“Clearly while we are making progress nationwide, much still needs to be done, especially in Florida,” said Hellrung, who is chairwoman of the North Central Florida Division for March of Dimes.

Paging through a brochure that highlights the impact fundraising has made on March of Dimes. Ellspermann stops and points to the cover, where a smiling boy is wrapped up in his mother's arms.